An interview with Margo Mastropieri, special-education-teacher educator, discusses science instruction for students with learning disabilities in inclusive settings. The value of activity-based approaches to science instruction for these students is emphasized. Ways of adapting both textbook-based approaches and activity-based approaches are…

Metaphors are guiding images that influence one's approach to problem solving. Experiential learning is a process of metaphor change; the task of educators is to facilitate development of new metaphors that generate new potential when old metaphors don't work. Discusses stages of metaphor development, creating an open learning space, and…

Examines the job-oriented interpretative patterns, plans of action, and professional knowledge of sociopedagogical actors working with children and adolescents out of school. Concludes that actors working with children and adolescents out of school usually rely more on their own biographical resources than on academic or professional knowledge.…

Studied whether 41 Japanese 6-year olds' voluntary participation in animal care activities in school was associated with children's understanding of animal care procedures. Found that children experienced in such activities had better understanding of animal care procedures than those who were not, but levels of participation were not associated…

Describes the experience of a group of refugees going through the process of Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning --AP(E)L-- and how through its creative synthesis they achieve a new resolve, a renewed impetus to go forward, and a new confidence. Relates their situation to Boud and Walker on the reflection process, the barriers present,…

Four adventure and experiential educators discuss ethical dilemmas encountered in their work: participants coerced by their employer to attend diversity workshops, facilitator responsibilities, conflict between practitioner and client values, school requirements for student evaluation in an adventure physical education class, and correcting a…

Describes "Challenge of Materials," a gallery where visitors can experience a wide variety of materials in different ways. Materials include familiar structural items such as steel and glass, and new materials that can change form and color. The gallery also provides opportunities for work with schools in materials science and…

Britain's National Health Service has a flexible program for achieving professional qualifications in information management/technology in health care. It is based on the concept of professional artistry, a constructivist view of professional practice as a practical art. (SK)

Effective adventure programming is explained in terms of the "significant learning" experience, involving periods of tension, questioning, and transfer during personal and social learning. Adventure programming that is supportive, adaptive, and properly sequenced maximizes the potential of significant learning. Trust- and…

Web-based instruction in graduate nursing courses was built on learner-centered and adult learning philosophies and interaction at several points: precourse, course start-up, course maintenance, and course closure. Students were relatively satisfied, found the courses convenient, were moderately engaged in active learning, and felt prepared for…

Training can generate long-term benefits for both camp staff and the camp, but camp administration must commit to creating a positive learning environment. Describes the benefits of training, how to identify training needs, key components of training, determining the delivery format, follow-up and retention, and seeking feedback from participants.…

A study investigated effects of a graduated instructional strategy on solution of algebra problems involving subtraction of integers for three adolescents with learning disabilities. Students successfully moved through three levels of instruction: concrete, semi-concrete, and abstract and applied a first letter acronym, STAR, to help them…

Religion and spirituality influence people's lives and behavior. Eight major religions are briefly explained so that experiential educators can examine what they mean and draw implications for addressing spirituality in educational programs. Excerpts from new federal guidelines about religion and schools are presented to consider from a global…

Presents an authentic semi-guided student research project. Studies the impact of a regional invasion of non-indigenous worm species on decomposition in forest soils. Describes the experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of the data. (Contains 16 references.) (YDS)

Discusses an activity that uses the metaphor "the mind is a black box," in which students work in groups to discover what is inside a sealed, black, plastic box. States that the activity enables students to understand the need for theories in psychology and to comprehend how psychologists build, test, and refine those theories. (CMK)